Sudanese forum a ‘success’

GREATER Dandenong’s mayor Youhorn Chea has hailed as a success a Sudanese community forum that attracted more than 150 people over two days.
The forum, at Noble Park’s Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, gave service groups an insight into how they could break the barriers to integrating Sudanese refugees into the community.
Springvale Central Ward councillor and mayor Cr Chea said the forum helped shed light on common issues facing refugee arrivals to Greater Dandenong.
Cr Chea, born in Cambodia, said he could personally relate to the daunting experience of settlement.
“You feel alone, isolated and until you get your feet on the ground, the feeling is overwhelming,” he said.
“The forum allowed the Sudanese community to shed light on many common issues facing their community including the accessing of health services for children, financial management and communication barriers, access to services, employment and a range of other important issues.
“But the forum is a step closer in determining ways in which the council can help our Sudanese friends.”
Gatwich Kulang from the Nasir Community Development Organisation also thanked those who attended.
“There are many issues facing the Sudanese community – many complex. The forum is one way that we can start making important changes for the future,” he said.